A role of government is to ensure that fisheries resources are used in an ecologically sustainable manner and as efficiently as possible, while yielding a return to the community.

This objective was the primary motivation behind the introduction of the Living Marine Resources Management Act 1995 (Tas.) and the Marine Farming Planning Act 1995 (Tas.). These Acts, which came into effect in May 1996, enable the Tasmanian Government to manage Tasmanian aquaculture and wild fisheries while balancing the continued environmental sustainability of fisheries against the need to derive economic benefits from them.

Recent changes to Commonwealth legislation requires that fisheries be assessed as ‘ecologically sustainable’ in order to be permitted unfettered export out of Australia. The rock lobster and abalone fisheries are accredited.